Other City Sustainability Initiatives
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
To help support the Winnipeg Climate Action Plan goals of mitigating our impact on the environment, the City of Winnipeg is participating in Natural Resource Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP). The ZEVIP provides funding to support the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in public places to address the lack of charging stations in Canada.
The City has installed electric vehicle charging stations at St. Vital Park, Kildonan Park, Seven Oaks Pool, and Bill and Helen Norrie Library. The stations, however, will not be online and ready to use until sometime in 2022.
Winnipeg Food Council
In February 2017, Council voted unanimously to authorize the creation of a Winnipeg Food Council. The Food Council is made up of representatives with knowledge of the local food system (producers, food entrepreneurs, non-profit representatives, and others), and its purpose is:
- To advise Mayor and Council on food system-related issues
- To support the work of the community on food issues, enhance public health and local food security, and increase food literacy, and access to food
- To initiate and support implementation of a City of Winnipeg Agricultural and Food Strategy
To learn more about the Winnipeg Food Council please visit the Food Council website.
To learn more about how the Winnipeg Food Council was formed, please visit Food Council project page.
Urban Beekeeping
With urban beekeeping becoming more acceptable and popular in other major cities across Canada, the City of Winnipeg is looking at expanding opportunities through by-law amendments. Beekeeping is currently permitted downtown and is also possible in agricultural areas through conditional use and a public hearing.
FairTrade Winnipeg
The City of Winnipeg is proud to extend their commitment to being a Fair Trade Town throughout 2022, with the help of Fairtrade Canada. Since 2017, the City of Winnipeg has served only Fairtrade certified coffee, tea and sugar at municipally-owned and operated venues.
This designation supports the Winnipeg Climate Action Plan goals of mitigating our impact on the environment and satisfies a 2011 City Council direction to incorporate more environmentally and socially sustainable procurement practices.
Organic Lawn Care
Information provided through this site will help you look after your lawn using organic lawn care methods and natural approaches to pest control. By adopting natural practices in taking care of our lawns, we can improve local biodiversity and reduce our negative impact on the environment. Things to consider include:
- Reducing energy spent on lawn care by mowing less often;
- Reducing water consumption by watering deep and less often; and
- Composting kitchen and yard waste to create our own nutrient rich soil.
Insect Control
Long-term and new residents alike are familiar with certain insects that also call Winnipeg home. From mosquitoes, to forest tent caterpillars, elm bark beetles and others, the City of Winnipeg strives to develop and implement sustainable strategies to handle them. To learn more about the City's insect control program and how it continues to be based on an environmentally mindful practices and policy, please visit their website.
City of Winnipeg Pesticide Management Bylaw
Learn more about the City of Winnipeg Pesticide Management By-law.
Community Gardens and City Allotment Gardens
Community gardens can transform empty lots into green, living spaces. Visit Allotment and Community Gardens for more information on locations and how to rent a plot.
Parks
Parks have benefits for quality of life, community health and well-being. Please visit their website for more information on this as well park amenities, wildlife, natural areas, and urban wildlife.
Urban Forestry
The Urban Forestry Branch is responsible for all aspects of modern 'urban forestry', including tree inventories, tree planting, watering and fertilizing, pruning, Dutch Elm Disease control, removal operations, public relations and education, and other administrative functions.
Living Prairie Museum
Located at 2795 Ness Avenue, The Living Prairie Museum is a 12 hectare (30-acre) tall grass prairie preserve. Set aside in 1968, this preserve is home to over 160 species of prairie plants and a great array of prairie wildlife